Impacts of Convectively-Generated Deep Tropospheric Gravity Waves on Surrounding Environments of MCSs

Convectively-generated, low-frequency, deep tropospheric internal gravity waves, a prominent feature of Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs), can propagate away from the originating system and modify the thermodynamic and kinematic properties of the surrounding environment. For example, previous modeling studies have found CAPE and CIN perturbations of 15 and 33%, respectively, of their original values as a result of subsidence or lifting incited by three different deep tropospheric wave modes. Recent research has also shown that low-frequency gravity waves are generated by convection frequently, with multiple wave modes generated during the lifetime of just one convective system. In this presentation, idealized simulations of MCSs using the CM1 model are used to identify typical wave modes produced during an MCS lifecycle, and resulting changes in environmental instability and shear. Changes in latent heating due to microphysical processes within the MCSs are evaluated and linked to the production of specific wave modes.